Chinese envoy urges end to 'vicious cycle of violence for violence' in Gaza

A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called on Israel and Palestine to stop the "vicious cycle of violence for violence" and cooperate with international good offices so as to achieve an unconditional ceasefire immediately.

Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, made the appeal at a meeting of the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East.

"In spite of the repeated appeals by the Security Council and the international community, Israel's military operation in Gaza has lasted for half of a month. The Israeli military operation has continued to expand in scope, resulting in serious deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza," he said, voicing China's deep concern and sadness at this development.

Liu expressed China's firm opposition to the use of force against civilians, especially on targeting residential areas and hospitals. "Such actions that violate international humanitarian law are unacceptable regardless of their excuses."

"The vicious cycle of violence for violence between Israel and Palestine must stop," Liu noted.

China urges Israel, Palestine and other parties to respond in good faith to the appeals of the international community, cooperate with international good offices, achieve an unconditional cease-fire immediately, and refrain from taking any actions that might escalate tensions so that calm can be achieved as soon as possible, he said.

The ambassador also called on the international community to step up its humanitarian assistance and called for the opening of all crossings in Gaza and the provision of all facilities for humanitarian relief in order to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Further, Liu pointed out that the conflict in Gaza has begun to spill over with serious security implications for borders between Lebanon and Israel and the borders between Syria and Israel, which has seriously threatened regional peace and security.

The Chinese envoy voiced his country's support for the constructive role played by Egypt and other countries in pushing for a ceasefire. He also said China hopes that the relevant players of the international community will enhance coordination and synergize their efforts for a ceasefire and ease of tension.

China has always believed that co-existence of the two states -- Israel and Palestine -- through peace talks is the only and correct way to resolve the Palestinian issue, Liu reaffirmed, expressing China's readiness to join the international community to work for a comprehensive, fair and lasting solution of the Middle East issue.

"We hope that Israel and Palestine will end the conflict soon and make efforts to address the deep seeded problems in their bilateral relations in order to avoid a repetition of tragedies," he said.

In addition, the envoy urged Israel to stop its settlement activities, release the detained Palestinians, so as to create conditions for the restart of the peace talks.